Healthy Habits 7/20

shedev

I'm liking my new workout a lot so far. Does the thought of getting bigger bother you, even if it is because you are getting stronger? Sometimes, even if this is something we want, it can take some time to wrap our heads around the changes. I did gain a little size in the shoulders as a result of working out. I had to get rid of a lot of tops. It did balance out my top and bottom halves a little more, but it was still an adjustment. I'm still a pear, but not as exaggerated a pear. I did go from small tops to more mediums. I use my chest measurement to order tops. It may give me any actual size, depending on the type of fit of the top. Sizes make no sense now days.

Over to you, what changes have you seen, and have you had to adjust your mindset because of them?

9 years ago

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11 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

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I will admit I want to stay in the clothing size I am. I like my wardrobe. I don't want to replace it. I am noticing a thicker middle, but thinner hips. Less pear shape, more rectangle. Also, I'm fitting my 32 bras instead of 30. This is a good change, as 32 is way more readily available!
As for the workouts, I got both swims in finally. Yay! Oh, wait, 3. Yesterday's wasn't so great, but Thursday's I was in the groove. Did my 2 runs and 2 bikes as well. One weight session.
This is taper week before my race, so lighter, shorter workouts.
Food is pretty good portion wise, but I could still use more fresh, whole foods. Wine has been good.

9 years ago

shedev

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Sounds like you had a really great week Mo.

9 years ago

MsMaven

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Pretty good week--recovered some lost ground. I looked it up and I weigh 10 pounds less than I did a year ago--mostly lost from the middle regions. I got out my Paige jeans bought at the 2011 NAS--I thought they should fit now. The pair I have on is still a bit tight at the waist--maybe it just needs to stretch out today.

Shedev, I'm more ectomorph than the more muscular mesomorph type and weight training doesn't add much in terms of muscle--I just get firmer and more toned looking. And stronger--I really notice it when I bring in the bags of groceries. So I've never gotten bigger from exercise, and there are probably limits to how much muscle strength I could build.

I'm pretty sure that strong muscles also help with balance--important in avoiding falls, and the ability to catch oneself before going over or down--something I'm very concerned with as I get older.

A couple of weeks ago I did something very important to the whole process: I gave away some clothes that I have never worn--I bought them thinking that I would wear them just as soon as I lost the five pounds, (and later the ten pounds.) What a relief not to see them hanging in the closet, accusing me of bad shopping practices!

As far as maintaining or even losing the remaining 3-4 pounds--this will be a challenge. Family is coming from opposite coast to visit--this is one of the occasions we resort to getting MegaByte Pizza for everybody. Maybe with the teenagers there won't be any leftovers though.

9 years ago

Kristin L

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I've been keeping up with walking and exercising. My fitbit isn't working right now, but I've been pretty pleased that all of the walking I was doing has become routine.

I found a couple of yoga stretches/exercises that look like they'd be fun to do everyday.

9 years ago

anne

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It's mon morning here so just a quick one to say I am putting it on the record that I've resolved to swear off sugar and added butter for 4 weeks.....

9 years ago

shedev

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Ms Maven, I think getting stronger and more toned are what most women are striving for. It's great that you aren't letting your clothes sit in your closet when you can make some room for things you can wear now.

K, it's awesome that the walking has become routine.

Anne, best of luck keeping off the sugar. It's tough.

9 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I don't know that I ever really got bigger from exercising. I know my shoulders were harder to fit when I was lifting seriously, but that was ages ago. Overall, I think weights and exercise make me more compact--does that make sense? My weight doesn't change much really ever these days but I notice waistbands getting looser with consistent exercise and tighter when I slack off.

I managed to get 5 out of 6 workouts in this last week even though I had to modify two of my runs because of fatigue. I'm thinking of taking a break from my apps and just running because I get so neurotic about my times. Competing against myself is exhausting and makes me dread my runs. So, that's my plan for this week--I'm going to run and not worry about how fast I can finish.

Hope that everyone has a great week!

9 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

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Very interesting questions Shedev. I lifted weights consistently for about a year and didn't notice any significant increase in size although a male friend of mine suggested I back off a bit as my shoulders were getting big. I did notice that at the same weight while fit, I wore one size smaller than when not fit. I believe those of us with proportionately longer limbs seem to not add obvious muscle. I did really enjoy the feeling of strength and would like it again. I am finding it much harder now in my 50s. I have aches and pains and feel stress in the hips. My sister who is 2 years older than I am is having a hip replacement this summer. She has always been much heavier than I am though so that may be a factor.

I am still on very low carb and feeling pretty good. We had dinner at friends' house last night and I managed to not eat the corn on the cob or the ice cream dessert. We finished all of our major physical labor projects now but I did go out for long walks at least three days and got in my 10K steps. I much preferred the exercise I got working in the yard to weight training but am not sure how to address that other than finding a hobby that is doing something physical. Golf is good but not too much in terms of strength.

If anyone has thoughts on the exercise front, I would appreciate them. I considered indoor rock climbing but the only place in town is the other side of the city so not too convenient.

9 years ago

texstyle

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It was nice enough weather to enjoy a couple long hikes this past week, and an hour of squats in the garden. I can't say my meals were the best as we were experimenting with making flatbread (lavash) and we ate the whole cooked batch within 3 days. It was 50/50 whole wheat to regular flour and had healthy toppings at least. We still tend to get at least 5 servings of vegetables in every day.

Regarding getting "bigger" working out. I never much noticed this and I've worked out for many years. I don't try to do the stress load type of workout though. I only move up in weight in very small increments and typically prefer to increase the number of reps/sets unless I *want* to try and build a particular area.

9 years ago

shedev

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In most areas we will get smaller from working out. Especially areas where we store a lot of fat. Women store a surprising amount of fat in our triceps area.

Kelly, in most areas on our body we do become more compact from working out. If we stay the same weight, as we increase lean mass- we lose fat. Muscle is more dense than fat so it takes up less space for the same lbs. It's a good idea to take a break from the apps if it is making running less fun. We can sometimes get a little too competitive with ourselves.

Dianthus, That is an excellent point that longer limbed people may not appear to bulk up as much. I'm really short with smaller (proportional) limbs. Didn't want to make it sound like I have T-rex arms. I gain or lose 5lbs and my size changes completely, but its not as noticeable on someone taller.

Textile, that flatbread sounds so good. I'll take some in gluten free. Low weight/ high rep is good for toning.

I work a fairly aggressive program, high weight/ med reps. I don't mind the thought of getting bigger, but I also know that I'm limited in the amount of size I'd gain due to my sex, age and body type. I need to have strength because I work with disabled and autistic young adults who have to sometimes be physically held for their own protection. Two of them are average sized boys. My vanity piece is my calves, I work them just because I think it looks good.

9 years ago

(website)

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It's been taper week and I'm getting race anxiety. Just about 24 hours away now. I tried an open water swim in the river just an hour ago. After about 3 minutes I was done. I get the heebie jeebies thinking what's in there with me. I might just do a short, easy 10 min lap swim at 2pm at the pool tomorrow since race time isn't until 7:30pm. I imagine I'll have nervous energy to burn anyway.
Also, after keeping carbs somewhat low in my diet for a while now (not crazy but still) it's weird to see over 200 grams of them in my food log today. Tried to follow advice to go more carb heavy before race day. I feel quite swollen actually. Might go back to my less carby ways tomorrow, conventional wisdom or no.

9 years ago

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